Jewish Community Struggles with Devastating Fires in Los Angeles

The recent fires sweeping through Los Angeles have left devastation in their wake, and the Jewish community in Southern California has not been spared. Fires, including the destructive Palisades Fire, have ravaged neighborhoods, destroyed homes, and displaced families, with local Jewish leaders working tirelessly to provide support in the face of overwhelming loss.

Among the worst-hit areas is the Pacific Palisades, home to a large Jewish population. Kehillat Israel, one of the most prominent synagogues in the area, was spared destruction, but many members of the community, including Associate Rabbi Daniel Sher, lost their homes in the fire. Rabbi Sher expressed the emotional weight of the disaster, emphasizing the communal devastation rather than personal loss. “The whole area has been desecrated,” he said, while noting that homes, community centers, and beloved local businesses were all destroyed. Despite the overwhelming tragedy, he remained hopeful, stating, "We are a community, and we still stand."

Other local Jewish institutions, including the IKAR congregation, have stepped up to help. Rabbi Sharon Brous of IKAR reached out to offer support to impacted synagogues, inviting evacuees to join the congregation for Shabbat. Rabbi Noah Farkas, President of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, expressed deep sorrow at the destruction of local synagogues, including Chabad of the Palisades and the Pasadena Jewish Temple. Despite the calamity, Farkas highlighted the importance of salvaging Torah scrolls from the affected synagogues, saying, "What’s good news is that the Torahs got out."

The Unprecedented Scale of the Disaster

The fires have spread rapidly, consuming thousands of homes and businesses, including several landmarks and cultural icons. The fire in Pacific Palisades, for instance, has been described as the most destructive in Los Angeles history, leveling more than 1,000 structures. The Jewish community has been hit hard, with schools, synagogues, and homes destroyed. Rabbi Farkas described the situation as “completely unprecedented,” citing the simultaneous outbreak of four major fires and the challenges of coordinating assistance.

Amid the chaos, Jewish leaders are providing comfort to their communities. Wendy Graf, a local playwright and member of the Jewish community, evacuated her home in Mandeville Canyon when the fire rapidly spread. While she, like many others, is grappling with the magnitude of the loss, she expressed gratitude for the sense of community that persists despite the destruction. Graf said, “The synagogue burned down, the high school burned down... It’s incomprehensible,” but like Rabbi Sher, she acknowledged that “it’s about the community, the connections we have.”